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Psychology degree prospects

Hello, I’m currently doing my undergraduate degree and am coming to the realisation that I would want to avoid data science where possible which has unfortunately limited me in terms of progressing to roles such as clinical psychology. Does anyone have any recommendations for career paths after psychology that would utilise the degree but avoid data science?
Original post by nkb56
Hello, I’m currently doing my undergraduate degree and am coming to the realisation that I would want to avoid data science where possible which has unfortunately limited me in terms of progressing to roles such as clinical psychology. Does anyone have any recommendations for career paths after psychology that would utilise the degree but avoid data science?

I'm confused. You're studying an undergraduate degree in Psychology, right? Yet you say you "want to avoid data science". Why would that be the natural (or even potential) career of a Psychology graduate?

If your interests lie in "roles such as clinical psychology", then what you need is experience in a relevant setting. Have you spoken with the your unis careers office yet? They likely have plenty of useful advice about a career in Psychology.
Original post by nkb56
Hello, I’m currently doing my undergraduate degree and am coming to the realisation that I would want to avoid data science where possible which has unfortunately limited me in terms of progressing to roles such as clinical psychology. Does anyone have any recommendations for career paths after psychology that would utilise the degree but avoid data science?

Hi! If you want to avoid data science, then research likely isn't for you. However, there are plenty of other career paths that don't rely on data science such as therapy, counselling, youth work, social work, etc. Whilst you may have to occasionally use a spreadsheet, I doubt that it would require you to do any detailed work in R, SPSS, or python. I would recommend getting in contact with your university careers department and talking to them about potential ways forward!
Best of luck with the future.
-Kat (2nd year psychology undergrad at Lancaster University)
Original post by nkb56
Hello, I’m currently doing my undergraduate degree and am coming to the realisation that I would want to avoid data science where possible which has unfortunately limited me in terms of progressing to roles such as clinical psychology. Does anyone have any recommendations for career paths after psychology that would utilise the degree but avoid data science?

Hello 👋🏻

By data science I am assuming you mean research methods? If so there are plenty of opportunities! 😃

Psychology is a transferable degree where you can transfer many skills to other fields such as recruitment, education and marketing! If you wish to do something more psychology based maybe look at being a support worker, a recovery worker, a helpline worker or a psychological wellbeing practitioner. For the psychological wellbeing practitioner you will have to complete a trainee role which requires a postgrad certificate but there isn't research!

I hope this helps! 😁

Hannah 🐄
DMU Student Rep
MSc Psychological Wellbeing Student 🧠
Original post by nkb56
Hello, I’m currently doing my undergraduate degree and am coming to the realisation that I would want to avoid data science where possible which has unfortunately limited me in terms of progressing to roles such as clinical psychology. Does anyone have any recommendations for career paths after psychology that would utilise the degree but avoid data science?

Hey!!

As others have suggested, psychology is a widely transferable degree which gives you many skills, including research, communication, critical thinking etc. 😀

Psychology is also relevant to a wide range of business-related careers. You could go in to these either through a graduate scheme or even specialising through a postgrad course. I personally did an MSc in Organisational and Business Psychology ant Kent and my peers went in to a really wide range of careers, such as HR, consultancy and even roles within the NHS/police.

Best of luck with everything!
Natalie
Reply 5
Original post by De Montfort University
Hello 👋🏻

By data science I am assuming you mean research methods? If so there are plenty of opportunities! 😃

Psychology is a transferable degree where you can transfer many skills to other fields such as recruitment, education and marketing! If you wish to do something more psychology based maybe look at being a support worker, a recovery worker, a helpline worker or a psychological wellbeing practitioner. For the psychological wellbeing practitioner you will have to complete a trainee role which requires a postgrad certificate but there isn't research!

I hope this helps! 😁

Hannah 🐄
DMU Student Rep
MSc Psychological Wellbeing Student 🧠

Thank you I’ll look into psychological wellbeing practitioner roles!
Reply 6
Original post by DataVenia
I'm confused. You're studying an undergraduate degree in Psychology, right? Yet you say you "want to avoid data science". Why would that be the natural (or even potential) career of a Psychology graduate?

If your interests lie in "roles such as clinical psychology", then what you need is experience in a relevant setting. Have you spoken with the your unis careers office yet? They likely have plenty of useful advice about a career in Psychology.

I’ve been advised that psychology professions such as clinical involve a level of research or data analysis and the steps to get there also involve research - such as postgrad studies or relevant work experience. For instance getting work experience as an Assistant Psychologist can involve statistical knowledge and practice which is not my strength. I’m working on getting experience in a clinical setting but if I do go down the clinical psychology route I’ve been told it will inevitably involve some data science.
Reply 7
Original post by University of Kent
Hey!!

As others have suggested, psychology is a widely transferable degree which gives you many skills, including research, communication, critical thinking etc. 😀

Psychology is also relevant to a wide range of business-related careers. You could go in to these either through a graduate scheme or even specialising through a postgrad course. I personally did an MSc in Organisational and Business Psychology ant Kent and my peers went in to a really wide range of careers, such as HR, consultancy and even roles within the NHS/police.

Best of luck with everything!
Natalie

Hi, your masters sounds interesting. When you did it did you need to use a coding language to complete your project?
Original post by nkb56
Hi, your masters sounds interesting. When you did it did you need to use a coding language to complete your project?

Hi,

It was really interesting! It was good to see psychology applied to a range of real-world issues eg hiring decisions. 🙂

We did use R, which was completely new to me at the time (had previously used SPSS)! However we were very well supported as people on my masters came from a range of backgrounds (some non-academic, just people doing the course to advance their career). I also know one person who did actually use qualitative methods as they struggled too much with quantitative.

If you have any other questions, let me know! I’m happy to help 🙂

Natalie
Reply 9
Original post by University of Kent
Hi,

It was really interesting! It was good to see psychology applied to a range of real-world issues eg hiring decisions. 🙂

We did use R, which was completely new to me at the time (had previously used SPSS)! However we were very well supported as people on my masters came from a range of backgrounds (some non-academic, just people doing the course to advance their career). I also know one person who did actually use qualitative methods as they struggled too much with quantitative.

If you have any other questions, let me know! I’m happy to help 🙂

Natalie

That's useful to know thank you. I am quite concerned about using R, it's interesting that you say someone used qualitative methods. Would you mind me asking you to elaborate on what that entails?
Original post by nkb56
Thank you I’ll look into psychological wellbeing practitioner roles!

Brilliant! I am glad this helped! 😁: You can see the sort of course structure for this course on our website. The trainee position requires completion of a Low Intensity Psychological Interventions Certificate. You can find more here: Low Intensity Psychological Interventions Graduate and PG Cert (dmu.ac.uk)

Trainee roles are usually advertised in October/November and April/May as there are usually two intakes for the year! 📖

I hope this helps! 😃

Hannah 🐄
DMU Student Rep
MSc Psychological Wellbeing 🧠
Original post by nkb56
Original post by University of Kent
Hi,

It was really interesting! It was good to see psychology applied to a range of real-world issues eg hiring decisions. 🙂

We did use R, which was completely new to me at the time (had previously used SPSS)! However we were very well supported as people on my masters came from a range of backgrounds (some non-academic, just people doing the course to advance their career). I also know one person who did actually use qualitative methods as they struggled too much with quantitative.

If you have any other questions, let me know! I’m happy to help 🙂

Natalie

That's useful to know thank you. I am quite concerned about using R, it's interesting that you say someone used qualitative methods. Would you mind me asking you to elaborate on what that entails?


Hey,

Sorry for the late response!

I completely understand the nerves around using R; I’m now doing a PhD (and teach R to first year students) and still struggle at times! However, I’m sure you will be very well supported, and there are many R resources online which explain how to do things step by step/fix errors in code, it just takes some time to get your head around it (especially if you’re used to SPSS etc)!

I don’t know the full details as it wasn’t my project, but from memory I’m pretty sure their research method was mainly centred on semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis! So Im sure there would be an option to use qualitative methods (of course if relevant to your project)? :smile:

Best of luck with everything!!
Natalie

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